Quilter's 2 1/2 Strip Precut Companion Review

Here's a new book, hot off the press! It's the Quilter's 2 1/2" Strip Precut Companion (affiliate link) from everyone's favorite quilter, Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilting Company, with another great book for using precuts.

The quilt that's on the cover certainly is attractive! 

This is the second book I've shared from Jenny. The first was the Quilter's 10in Square Precut Companion (affiliate link) from which I made a couple Slice of Life quilts. Feel free to read my review and see other quilts patterns in that book.

And this book is just as good as that one - maybe even better! Of course, I think that's due to not only to the easy yet beautiful quilt patterns, but really the source of these patterns - 2 1/2" strips.

Jelly rolls dominate the pre-cut market these days. Heck, there's even National Jelly Roll Day which I've celebrated numerous times, offering free patterns from around the web with Free Jelly Roll Patterns, More Free Jelly Roll Patterns, and Free Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns. Definitely a popular precut!

Here's a sampling of quilts found in the Quilter's 2 1/2" Strip Precut Companion. though I highly recommend the 'view inside' at Amazon to see more gorgeous strip quilts.

and

Wouldn't that last one look stunning with Christmas fabrics???

So, for all you 2 1/2" strip or jelly roll enthusiasts, grab yourself a copy of this brand new book and start stitching!

Happy Quilting!

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My Favorite Patterns

Dazzling New York Beauty Sampler

C&T Publishing has been kind enough to send books my way for review, so let's take a look at the Dazzling New York Beauty Sampler book (affiliate link) by Cinzia White and have a little giveaway.

Now, I always thought that the New York Beauty quilts had something to do with the Statue of Liberty. Sounds reasonable, as the blocks resemble the statue's crown. 

Turns out, the block with it's distinctive curves and points originated in the Southern United States. It was only after Mountain Mist released a block pattern by the New York Beauty name, plus several winning quilts using the block in the 1930's, that the block design and New York Beauty became synonymous. Check out this New York Beauty post from Willy Wonka Quilts to read more.

In the Dazzling New York Beauty Sampler book, there's certainly a lot more than one block design. This is, after all, a sampler quilt, with a total of 54 blocks. That would certainly keep one busy!

The above picture is just an overview - head over to the Dazzling New York Beauty affiliate link to see further block detail, more than what I can provide here.

All of the blocks are foundation pieced, with full-size templates included. Cinzia even recommends using freezer paper for easy construction - my favorite! 

Along with the instructions for making this beautiful quilt,

there are also other ideas for table runners and wall hangings. There's so much one can do with a New York Beauty block.

Would you like to make a New York Beauty quilt? For one lucky reader, I'm giving away a copy of the Dazzling New York Beauty Sampler book. Contest is open to those in the continental US only (no Alaska, Hawaii, or international - sorry).

Enter now thru midnight, Thursday July 22 via the Rafflecopter widget. Winner will be announced at Midweek Makers next week.

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Good Luck!

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My Favorite Patterns

One Block Wonder Panel Quilts

Here's a new book to spark your interest - One Block Wonder Panel Quilts by Maxine Rosenthal and Nancy Miller (affiliate link).

You may remember One Block Wonder Quilts (affiliate link) being quite the rage several years ago.

The brand new version incorporates all of the spinning kaleidoscope blocks made from hexagons from before, adding fabric panels for very unique quilts. Just look at the stunning Peacock's Pride.

Maxine and Nancy walk through the process of choosing fabric panels, especially what to look for and what to avoid. There's several factors to consider, such as pattern repeats, spacing, dead space, distinct lines, etc.

The next portion of the book goes over cutting and piecing the hexagons to make the blocks, and the design process using panels. The key is to experiment until you like what you see!

Finally, there's the construction of the quilt, which can be simple or complex. Maxine and Nancy walk you through it, including whether to add borders or not.

Here's another quilt, Haunted House, effectively using the technique.

Want to make one of these One Block Wonder Panel Quilts? I'm giving away a copy of the book to one lucky reader! Giveaway is open to those in the continental US only - sorry to my international followers. 

Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below, now thru midnight Monday, June 7. Winner to be announced on Midweek Makers that week.

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Good luck!

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Sew Healthy and Happy

A new book has crossed my desk for a May feature, curtesy of C&T Publishing. It's called Sew Healthy and Happy by Rose Parr (affiliate link).

At first glance, I thought this book was about setting up a sewing space with the correct ergonomics. But I found out it's much more than that!

Determined to thoroughly investigate this book, I sat down, opened it up, and ultimately read (and participated with) each page.

As seen in the Table of Contents below, the book starts out with ergonomics, otherwise known as working comfortably and efficiently.

There's how to find the proper height for the cutting table, the ironing board, and the sewing desk or machine. And yes, I did pull out my measuring tape to check to see what height my sewing stations were at and if they needed any adjustments. Suggestions for adjusting are also given in Sew Healthy and Happy, in case I needed them. Fortunately, my stations are just right for me!

At the Sew Healthy and Happy Amazon affiliate link, 'look inside' at a few of book's pages. One of those pages goes over the height for a cutting table, something I did not know. Check it out, plus find a couple more suggestions on ways to sew happy.

After the ergonomics section, the second focus of Sew Healthy and Happy are the stretches. As quilters, we spend a lot of time sitting in front of our machines, which is not good for our overall health. A look at the second page of the Table of Contents shows stretches, healthy habits, and recipes to help us be our best.

It was the stretches section that really had me sold on this book. While I already do some of the stretches as a daily routine, there were several more that I plan to incorporate, especially the ones for the hands and wrists.

As I've gotten older, my wrists have become more susceptible to pain and inflammation. Some of it has to do with muscle loss in my shoulders due to radiation therapy years ago, which causes my arms and hands to be held differently. And some of it has to do with computer over-use. Whatever the cause, I've notice a decrease in wrist flexibility, especially when writing.

I was surprised and delighted to see over eight pages that Sew Healthy and Happy devoted to stretches for the back, shoulders, wrists, and hands, areas that I am very conscious of. My plan is to try and incorporate these not only into a daily routine, but as a stretching break throughout the day.

Of course, I should also incorporate those stretches for the hips, quads, and hamstrings - those areas are getting stiff from standing a lot. My - I have a lot of stretching to do!

As for the smoothie recipes - already doing that! Yes, though a green smoothie made with spinach, kale, greek yogurt, etc, may look and sound unappetizing, it tastes pretty good! Gotta thank my Ninja blender system with Auto IQ for making a great smoothie!  

Bonus info: sprinkled on all the pages of this book are quilting tips and tricks from well-known quilters - what more could one ask for?

So, to wrap up, if you want to be kind to yourself by preventing injuries and improving not only your health but also your quilting enjoyment, I recommend getting your hands on a copy of Sew Healthy and Happy. You're body will thank you!

Happy Quilting!

My Favorite Patterns

March- April 2021 Book of the Month

Though it's a bit late into the month of March, I going to forge ahead with another quilt book to feature, which will carry over into April. This time, it's Stunning 3-D Quilts Simplified (affiliate link) by Ruth Ann Berry.

Stunning for sure! The quilts in this new book look so complex, but they're easy to design and sew due to isometric paper. What's isometric paper? It's a grid made of 60-degree triangles. As Ruth states in the book, who knew? 

I'll admit, that when C&T Publishing graciously sent this book, I wasn't very interested - these quilts looked way too complex. But having just designed the interlocking chains in Lucky Clover, I'm now in the right frame of mind to find the cover intriguing enough to give the book a second look. 

And boy am I surprised! I couldn't believe all 12 projects in the book use 60-degree triangles - how easy is that? With proper value placement, simple to complex 3-D designs are possible as never before - who knew?

Here's a project from the book, a simple table runner.

Thinking about this runner made of 60-degree triangles, it looks pretty straightforward, right? It certainly looks like something any quilter could make.

Keeping those 60-degree triangles in mind, let's jump ahead to a more complex design like this one, which graces the cover of Stunning 3-D Quilts Simplified.

Wow! Fascinating, isn't it? I don't know about you, but I find myself tracking the path of all of those colors every time I look at this. And it's all made with 60-degree triangles - amazing!

This is such an intriguing idea, I think I'll have a go with these triangles to make a 3-D quilt. Within a week or so, I hope to share some other exciting news which will make one of these quilts a breeze. Until then, I'll decide whether to make a project from the book or design my own. There's more to come in April!

Until then,

Happy Quilting!

My Favorite Patterns

Sizzle Quilt Review

I have a new book to review! This time it's Sizzle Quilt by Becky Goldsmith (affiliate link).

Notice the title says 'Quilt' not 'Quilts'. That's because this book includes all the detailed instructions, paper piecing patterns, and applique templates needed for one quilt of 9 different blocks, the Sizzle Quilt.

Shown in two colorways, the beautiful reds, yellows, and oranges of the warm spectrum as seen on the cover above, and the cool tones of green, blue, and gray, below.

Designed by Becky Goldsmith, the Sizzle Quilt was a 2019 Block of the Month project for The Quilt Show. It was available to members during that year, and has now been turned into this wonderful book, full of tips, tricks and fantastic construction photos to easily paper piece these gorgeous blocks. 

Even if you don't have time to make the quilt (like me!), Sizzle Quilt is still worth reading for the paper piecing techniques she uses. I'm super impressed with her up-close, detailed photos!

So, if you're looking to learn a new quilt skill, or just perfect those you have, look into the Sizzle Quilt. Who knows? Maybe you'll try a block or even the whole quilt!

Happy Quilting!

My Favorite Patterns

July 2020 Book of the Month - Triangle Block Tool

Hi all! Today I'm sharing a book for those who love quilts full of triangles, diamonds, and hexagon blocks - it's the Quick & Easy Triangle Block Tool (affiliate link) by Sheila Christensen, and C&T Publishing.

And WOW! Does this book offer a variety of block designs to really up the drama in your quilts! Just look at these examples:

Canterbury

Interweave

and my favorite, Orchid.

Full of pictures, diagrams, and size charts, plus thorough cutting instructions given in the beginning of the Quick & Easy Triangle Block Tool book (affiliate link), even a beginner could learn how to cut triangle, diamond, and hexagon shapes. And not just the easy way, with rulers of those shapes, but the instructions ALSO include using straight rulers. This makes me super happy, as I'm someone that limits the number of specialty rulers in the studio, so the instructions for using straight rulers is greatly appreciated. And it's easier than you think, especially with the easy-to-follow pictures and drawings.

Each block (there are 100 of them!) includes an outline drawing of the pieces, a suggested color layout, a diagram of the block parts, and finally, a picture of the block in fabric.

Each page also includes the cutting size chart for each shape and for different block sizes. Each block comes in four different sizes. How convenient is that - no need to do quilt math!

Finishing off each block page, there are quilt layout ideas for each block, which certainly gets those creative juices flowing.

Here's what a full block page looks like, this time with the Floating block.

What more could you ask for in a quilt book? If you're a triangle, diamond, or hexagon lover, you really seriously need the Quick & Easy Triangle Block Tool book (affiliate link) to make even more stunning quilts! If your not, there's also the companion book full of square blocks, the Quick & Easy Block Tool (affiliate link), in the same format, with 110 blocks in 5 sizes - another must have. 

Happy Quilting! And thank you, C&T Publishing for providing great quilt books!

My Favorite Patterns

Zen Garden

It may have taken two months, but I have certainly fallen in love! Have a look at my finally finished Zen Garden quilt and tell me you aren't in love too!

Made from the Zen Garden pattern in Jo Avery's book, Patchwork & Quilting Basics (affiliate link) from C&T Pub, 

I'd say this is one beautiful garden quilt!

Using the multi-colored floral fabric as my color inspiration, I pulled oranges, reds, yellows, and greens from my stash. 

And this pattern is perfect for including those bold striped fabrics. Paired with quieter blenders, they all play well together. 

As for construction, once I had all the pieces cut, the two different sized blocks were easy to put together,

especially during an early morning chain piecing session!

When it came to the layout though, I didn't follow Jo's exact instructions. Instead, I put all the blocks on the floor following the quilt diagram in the book. That way, I could be sure I wasn't putting the same fabrics together, OR putting too much visual weight in one area by value, OR creating pattern clashes. I want the crickets to chirp and the birds to sing about my garden quilt - can't you hear them? 

Once I had the top assembled, the idea of how to quilt it didn't take long. Though the blocks are along the lines of a traditional log cabin, the overall layout of this quilt says modern, which meant Zen Garden needed a modern quilt design. And I found the perfect pantograph, Bebop, full of repeating circles, which is not only a modern design, but in itself is quite zen.

Just look at the contrast those circles create with the squares on the quilt - the perfect pantograph indeed!

Can you tell I really have fallen in love? I'll be keeping this one as another summer/fall quilt for display in the living room, and for the occasional snuggle when the nighttime temps fall.

As for Jo's Patchwork & Quilting Basics book (affiliate link), I just can't say enough. Patchwork & Quilting Basics (affiliate link) is not just for those who are new to quilting - it's perfect for any quilter. The book is full of simple patterns using traditional techniques and blocks but with a modern twist - the types of quilts I'm drawn to, and the style of quilt I try to design. I found several of her quilt patterns I'd like to make, such as the Stream Quilt,

or Dancing Pandas. Both are simple, yet eye-catching.

Even though you may have plenty of quilt books on your shelf, if you're looking for a more modern quilt sewn with traditional techniques, this book is for you!

Happy Quilting!

My Favorite Patterns